Prescription Drug Disposal

On September 25, 2010, DEA will coordinate a collaborative effort with state and local law enforcement agencies to remove potentially dangerous controlled substances from our nation’s medicine cabinets. Collection activities will take place from 10:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. at sites established throughout the country. The National Take-Back Day provides an opportunity for the public to surrender expired, unwanted, or unused pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications for destruction. These drugs are a potential source of supply for illegal use and an unacceptable risk to public health and safety.

This one-day effort is intended to bring national focus to the issue of increasing pharmaceutical controlled substance abuse.

•The program is anonymous.

•Prescription and over the counter solid dosage medications, i.e. tablets and capsules accepted.

•Intra-venous solutions, injectables, and needles will not be accepted.•Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not a part of this initiative.

Find collection site(s) near you.

Please check back often as new collection sites will be added daily.

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Recycling Smoke Detectors

If you're like me, I replace the batteries in my smoke detectors every fall when we switch back to Daylight Standard Time. The National Fire Protection Association strongly recommends the replacement of home smoke alarms every 10 years. Smoke alarms become less reliable with time, primarily due to aging of their electronic components, making them susceptible to nuisance false alarms.

According to the U.S. EPA, both photoelectric and ionization smoke alarms contain plastic, electronic circuit boards and in some cases, batteries. Since most smoke detectors contain small amounts of radioactive materials, they are not readily accepted at most hazardous waste dropoffs. Federal regulations stipulate that all smoke detector packaging must contain the company’s mail back address so that they may be disposed of properly. Please call the company for instructions on mailing the detctors back properly.

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